Marketing practice of infant formula industry and marketing regulations

Abstract

Rampant violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes were reported. Evidence showed that the infant formula industry keeps on finding ways to promote their products aggressively. This project proposes to review marketing practice of infant formula industry and marketing regulations in regions with various degrees of the code implementation.

Relevant electronic reports published by the Hong Kong government were searched. A literature search of the PubMed and Google Scholar were performed. Research papers given by local baby formula industry were obtained from the corresponding websites. Local Chinese newspapers were also used in this project.

The Hong Kong Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes should never only rely on self-disciplines of infant formula industry. Also, strict enforcement of the regulatory provisions and compliance monitoring or reporting systems, accompanied by training and systematic education are the essential elements for tackling the marketing malpractice of infant formula industry. Furthermore, a continuing constructive and responsible cooperation between the Hong Kong government and different stakeholders is also a critical factor to protect infants and parents from the marketing malpractice.